Talent Combined

Subiaco’s growing reputation at being able to develop young footballers towards AFL level was enhanced this week with Liam Baker and Liam Ryan joining U18’s prospects Brayden Ainsworth, Kyron Hayden and Ben Miller as invitees to AFL Combines.

The Subi league players added rounds out a strong year of development for the Lions who have produced some of WA’s top prospects.

Small forward Liam Baker made the move to Subiaco for 2017 and has proven to be a valued addition to the Subiaco forward line. Despite his size, Baker has proven to possess outstanding defensive traits with his ability to tackle, harass and pressure crucial to Subiaco’s forward success.

Baker has played nine league games for Subiaco, averaging just under 16 possessions and 3 tackles per game. Baker has kicked 14 goals across those nine games, including a match winning bag of four in a top of the table clash against South Fremantle in round 9.

Liam Ryan has proven to be an excitement machine in his 34 game career with Subiaco. Ryan has developed a reputation for being able to take big marks and kick incredible goals, and has rapidly made an impression in the WA football landscape.

Ryan has proven himself to be a consistent and match winning forward, kicking goals in every game he has played, highlighted with two bags of six goals back in round 2 and round 4 of this year. With blinding speed, a great football mind and improved defensive efficiency, it seems Ryan is ready to grasp an AFL opportunity.

The invites of Baker and Ryan continue a great month for the talent and development pathways of the Subiaco Football Club.

Kyron Hayden, Brayden Ainsworth & Ben Miller

Subiaco Colt squad members and WA State 18s representatives, Brayden Ainsworth, Kyron Hayden and Ben Miller were all invited to the AFL National Combine in Melbourne.

One of the most exciting prospects for this year’s draft, Ainsworth is a smooth moving midfielder who’s game has been likened to Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury. At the U18 Championships, he averaged 24 possessions (13 contested), seven clearances and four tackles to duly win All-Australian honours. In six Colts games so far, he is averaging 27 possessions and four tackles, while in seven Reserves games he is averaging 17 possessions and two tackles.

Kyron Hayden has averaged 22 possessions, four marks and three tackles In 13 Games for the Subiaco Colts to be one of the elite midfielders of the competition. At the U18 Championships, he averaged 14 possessions (seven contested), four clearances and three tackles across the four games. He has drawn comparisons to Port Adelaide duo Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper, as he is a big bodied midfielder who thrives in the stoppages.

In only eight games for the Subiaco Colts, Ben Miller is ranked eighth in the competition for hit-outs (172 at an average of 22 per game). At the U18 Championships he averaged 11 possessions (six contested), 18 hit-outs, four tackles and two clearances to be one of the premier ruck-man in the country. He is an athletic ruck similar to Geelong’s Mark Blicavs.

With five players invited across the two combines, Subiaco has the highest representation for WAFL clubs in 2017.

Subiaco wishes Baker and Ryan along with Ainsworth, Hayden and Miller all the best for their respective combine experiences.